The 5 Essential Crochet Stitches Every Beginner Must Know

Five Stitches, Endless Possibilities

The vast majority of crochet patterns — from simple dishcloths to intricate blankets and wearable garments — are built from just five foundational stitches. Learn these five and you have everything you need to tackle a huge range of beginner and intermediate projects.

Each stitch is taller than the last. A single crochet is short and dense; a treble crochet is tall and open. This variety in height is what gives crochet designers the ability to create such different textures and shapes.

1. Slip Stitch (sl st)

The slip stitch is the shortest of all crochet stitches. Unlike the others, it does not create fabric on its own — it is used for joining (closing a round), shaping, and moving the yarn to a new position in the fabric without adding height.

To work a slip stitch: insert the hook into the indicated stitch, yarn over, and pull the yarn through both the stitch and the loop already on the hook in one movement. That's it — no extra steps.

Common use: Joining the end of a round to the beginning chain to close the circle.

2. Single Crochet (sc)

The single crochet is the most fundamental building stitch. It creates a tight, dense, sturdy fabric — perfect for items that need structure like bags, amigurumi toys, and dishcloths.

To work a single crochet:

1. 1.Insert the hook into the indicated stitch.
2. 2.Yarn over and pull up a loop. You now have two loops on the hook.
3. 3.Yarn over again and pull through both loops on the hook.

Abbreviated as "sc" in patterns.

3. Half Double Crochet (hdc)

The half double crochet sits between a single and a double crochet in height. It produces a slightly taller, softer fabric with a distinctive third loop on the back that can be used for interesting texture effects.

To work a half double crochet:

1. 1.Yarn over, then insert the hook into the indicated stitch.
2. 2.Yarn over again and pull up a loop. You now have three loops on the hook.
3. 3.Yarn over and pull through all three loops at once.

Abbreviated as "hdc" in patterns.

4. Double Crochet (dc)

The double crochet is one of the most used stitches in crochet. It is taller than a half double crochet and creates a looser, more draping fabric — ideal for garments, afghans, and decorative items.

To work a double crochet:

1. 1.Yarn over, then insert the hook into the indicated stitch.
2. 2.Yarn over and draw up a loop. You now have three loops on the hook.
3. 3.Yarn over and pull through the first two loops only. Two loops remain.
4. 4.Yarn over and pull through the remaining two loops.

Abbreviated as "dc" in patterns. When you make a turning chain of 3 at the start of a row, those three chains usually count as your first double crochet.

5. Treble Crochet (tr)

The treble crochet (also called triple crochet) is taller still, creating an open, airy fabric. It is commonly used in lacy patterns, tall stitch designs, and decorative elements.

To work a treble crochet:

1. 1.Yarn over twice, then insert the hook into the indicated stitch.
2. 2.Yarn over and draw up a loop. Four loops on the hook.
3. 3.Yarn over and pull through the first two loops. Three loops remain.
4. 4.Yarn over and pull through the next two loops. Two loops remain.
5. 5.Yarn over and pull through the last two loops.

Abbreviated as "tr" in patterns.

Increasing and Decreasing

Once you know these five stitches, you can shape your fabric by increasing or decreasing.

• •To increase: Work two or more stitches into the same stitch at the point specified in the pattern. The same method works for all stitch types.
• •To decrease: Work two stitches together by leaving the last loop of each stitch on the hook, then finishing them together with one final pull-through. In patterns this appears as sc2tog, hdc2tog, dc2tog, etc.